Interviewed by Somenath Kumar Nag, Literary Critic In an interview with me, Dhiraj Das, one of the prolific poets of contemporary time, shares his views on poetry, discusses in length how poetry can function around the socio-cultural milieu. While reviewing his anthology of poems, titled Walking with the Dead, I got the opportunity to take an interview. Here goes what he has to say. Somenath: How will you define poetry? Dhiraj Das: Poetry is simply an artistic reflection of thoughts on the mirror of intense emotion. Somenath: What is the function of a poet? Dhiraj Das: Oh! Very simple, writing poetry! Poetry is an artistic tool to share thoughts as it is the reflexion of heart. So, heart to heart communication can be done through poetry. I do believe that poetry can literate or educate people worldwide. On a personal note, I believe as a poet I must have the ethics neither to hurt the reader nor to lead them to the path of destructive escape through my own vibrations or agony or emotions. A good poetry carries a message to leave a space to make the reader think in their own way. There should have a flexibility to let the readers think in their own way after educating...

Cricket World Cup 2015 kicked off amidst great excitement and expectations of a billion fluttering hearts in Australia and New Zealand. Even the Google page reflected the various encounters of the World Cup. The exquisite stadiums at Melbourne and Sydney were breathtaking. The glitzy World Cup logo was perfect too. With the islanders hosting the World Cup after twenty three years, the home crowd had lapped it up. The experience of cascading events that dot a World Cup has been as usual set alight by the club of participating teams across the globe. This Cricket World Cup had proffered a splendid array of images that had made the gallery of the 2015 eleventh edition a pleasure to relish. The cricketing extravaganza started with New Zealand shrugging off Sri Lanka with ease. Some of the lingering ones includes fiery fast bowler Mitchell Starc, unorthodox Glenn Maxwell, classy Virat Kohli and elegant Ab de villers. West Indian Chris Gayle sparkled with the first ever Cricket World Cup double hundred against Zimbabwe. However, it was Kiwi batsman Martin Guptill, who is also the leading run scorer of the tournament, blazed his way to an unbeaten 237 against the West Indies that completely overshadowed Gayle’s efforts. This World Cup also witnessed the superb...

In another barbaric murder the Islamic State militants released a video showing the beheading of British hostage David Haines. This beheading of a British aid worker by the dreaded Islamic State terror group was addressed by British Prime Minister David Cameron as an act of pure evil. He added that his heart goes out to the family members of Haines through this trying period. He vowed to bring the killers of the aid worker to justice. The aid worker David Haines was in custody in Syria from 2013 and was being held by IS militants. This is the third such instance of barbarism followed by the killing of two US journalists previously. The video also includes a threat to kill a second British hostage. The video features a man who appears to be Haines and is dressed in orange overalls kneeling in front of a masked man holding a knife. The victim also declares that he holds David Cameron entirely responsible for his execution. US President Barack Obama has also condemned this barbaric murder of Haines. Earlier James Foley and Steven Sotloff have been executed in a similar fashion by the terrorist group ISIL. The Australian PM Tony Abbott has stated that this murder appropriately demonstrates the sole intention...

Jammu and Kashmir is battling one of the worst floods in decades with flooded rivers in the region causing havoc due to days of persistent rain. Over 200 people have been reported killed with thousands of others stranded across the state without even the most basic supply of drinking water. The massive round-the-clock rescue and relief operations are being hampered by the inclement weather with the distribution of relief material in full swing. Satellite images are showing clouds over Jammu & Kashmir that will bring more rain to the flooded areas of the state. Almost half of the total electricity supply to the Srinagar city has been restored. It has been assessed that properties and infrastructure worth Rs.6000 crores has been destroyed in the floods. There is a trail of death and destruction throughout the...

A distinctive approach to the game brought victory to the Northern Districts against the Lahore Lions by 72 runs hence qualifying for the main round of the Champions League T20 in Raipur. They were asked to bat under an overcast sky. Half-centuries by skipper Daniel Flynn, 53 from 27 balls and wicket keeper-batsman BJ Watling scoring 53 off 33 aided them to reach 170 for six in their quota of 20 overs. Flynn had five fours and two sixes, Watling had seven boundaries and an over boundary. Flynn and Watling initially tackled the Lions attack by rotating their strike randomly at whim. Watling and Flynn’s running between the wickets was admirable. Flynn was finally stumped by Umar Akmal off Adnan Rasool’s bowling missing the line completely. Watling was out caught over long-on. On the other hand the Lions were bundled out for merely 98 in 18 overs. This is the second consecutive win for the Northern Knights in as many matches. Tim Southee had the brilliant figures of 3-22 from 4 overs to show while Trent Boult was 2-12 from their four overs. Their bowling cleared the top half of the opponent Lions within six overs of Powerplay with less than 20 runs on board. From the second over...

Caroline Wozniacki the tennis star has bared the true facts leading to her unexpected split with fiancé golfer Rory McIlroy when they were on the verge of marriage. The 25 year old tennis player said that it took place days after their wedding invitations had been sent out. Suddenly McIlroy called to say that due to his problem he was breaking-up. Caroline Wozniacki claims that her boyfriend and future husband simply dumped her. She added that the golf ace had claimed that the sending out of wedding invitations had made him realize that he wasn’t ready for marriage yet. Wozniacki added that she was shell shocked as the renowned golfer had simply thrust the decision upon her with no further communication. She found it very tough since it was a public knowledge with a point of no return. She added that her friend Serena Williams helped her get through the tough phase. Wozniacki said that she has definitely moved on adding that life goes...